Secretion, transcription and sporulation genes in Bacillus clausii

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms having exogenous nucleic acid sequences introduced therein and methods for producing proteins in such host cells, such as members of the genus  Bacillus . More specifically, the present invention relates to the expression, production and secretion of a polypeptide of interest and to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention provides for the enhanced expression of a selected polypeptide by a microorganism.

The present application is a 371 of PCT/US03/03534, filed Feb. 6, 2003, which claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/355,258 filed Feb. 8, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms having exogenous nucleic acid sequences introduced therein and methods for producing proteins in such host cells, such as members of the genus Bacillus. More specifically, the present invention relates to the expression, production and secretion of a polypeptide of interest and to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention provides for the enhanced expression of a selected polypeptide by a microorganism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gram-positive microorganisms, such as members of the genus Bacillus, have been used for large-scale industrial fermentation due, in part, to their ability to secrete their fermentation products into their culture media. Secreted proteins are exported across a cell membrane and a cell wall, and then are subsequently released into the external media. Secretion of polypeptides into periplasmic space or into their culture media is subject to a variety of parameters, which need to be carefully considered in industrial fermentations.

Indeed, secretion of heterologous polypeptides is a widely used technique in industry. Typically, cells are transformed with a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous polypeptide of interest to be expressed and thereby produce large quantities of desired polypeptides. This technique can be used to produce a vast amount of polypeptide over what would be produced naturally. These expressed polypeptides have a number of industrial applications, including therapeutic and agricultural uses, as well as use in foods, cosmetics, cleaning compositions, animal feed, etc. Thus, increasing expression of polypeptides is of great interest in many fields.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms having exogenous nucleic acid sequences introduced therein and methods for producing proteins in such host cells, such as members of the genus Bacillus. More specifically, the present invention relates to the expression, production and secretion of a polypeptide of interest and to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention provides for the enhanced expression of a selected polypeptide by a microorganism.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding proteins involved in the secretion of peptides in Gram-positive host cells, as well as methods for increasing the secretion of proteins by cells.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for increasing production and/or secretion of a polypeptide. In a preferred embodiment, the cell used in these methods expresses at least one secretion-associated protein derived from B. clausii. In particularly preferred methods, the cell is transformed to express the protein. In one embodiment, the method optionally comprises inactivating at least one secretion-associated protein in the cell. The method further comprises culturing the cell under conditions suitable for expression and secretion of the polypeptide.

The present invention also provides nucleic acid sequences encoding secretion-associated proteins. In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid sequences are derived from Bacillus clausii. In additional embodiments, variants of the B. clausii secretion factors are provided. In still further embodiments, at least partial sequence information for the deduced amino acid sequences of the secretion-associated proteins encoded by the nucleic acid sequences are provided.

The present invention also provides methods for the production of an alkaline protease in a host cell. In one embodiment, the hyperexpression of bc/2627 is used to induce enhance expression and/or secretion of the alkaline protease.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides B. claussii spollE and degU nucleic acid sequences. In some embodiments, these sequences are subjected to in vitro mutagenesis. In further embodiments, these mutagenized sequences are re-introduced into a host cell. In one embodiment the host cell is B. clausii, while in other embodiments, other organisms, including, but not limited to B. subtilis are used as host cells.

The present invention provides nucleotide sequences comprising a Bacillus clausii secretion factor, wherein the secretion factor is selected from the group consisting of SecA, SecD, SecE, SecF, SecG, SecY, Ffh, FtsY, SipS, SipT, SipV, and SipW. In some preferred embodiments, the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, and SEQ ID NO:28. In alternative embodiments a hybridizable nucleotide sequence remains hybridized to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, and SEQ ID NO:28, under stringency conditions of low stringency, moderate stringency, and high stringency. In additional embodiments, the present invention provides vectors comprising at least a portion of at least one of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, and SEQ ID NO:28. In particularly preferred embodiments, the vector further comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one polypeptide of interest. In still further embodiments, the present invention provides expression cassettes comprising the vector(s). In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides host cells of the genus Bacillus comprising these expression cassette(s). In some preferred embodiments, the host cell secretes at least one B. clausii secretion factor selected from the group consisting of SecA, SecD, SecE, secF, SecG, SecY, Ffh, FtsY, SipS, SipT, SipV, and SipW. In alternative embodiments, secretion factor comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, and SEQ ID NO:27. In additional embodiments, the amino acid comprises a fragment of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, and SEQ ID NO:27. In still further embodiments, the amino acid comprises a variant of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, and SEQ ID NO:27.

The present invention also provides nucleotide sequences comprising a Bacillus clausii transcription factor, wherein the transcription factor is selected from the group consisting of DegS, DegU, and BcI2627. In some preferred embodiments, the nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO:30, and SEQ ID NO:32. In further embodiments, the present invention provides hybridizable nucleotide sequences that remain hybridized under stringency conditions of low stringency, moderate stringency, and high stringency to a nucleotide sequence comprising a Bacillus clausil transcription factor, wherein said transcription factor is selected from the group consisting of DegS, DegU, and Bcl2627, and wherein said nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO:30, and SEQ ID NO:32 . In still further embodiments, the present invention provides vectors comprising at least a portion of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO:30, and SEQ ID NO:32. In some preferred embodiments, the vectors further comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one polypeptide of interest. In still further embodiments, the present invention provides expression cassettes comprising these vector(s). In additional embodiments, the present invention provides host cells of the genus Bacillus comprising the expression cassette(s). In still further embodiments, the host cell secretes at least one B. clausii transcription factor. In additional embodiments, the transcription factor comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:29, and SEQ ID NO:31. In some embodiments, the amino acid comprises a fragment of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:29, and SEQ ID NO:31. In some alternative embodiments, the amino comprises a variant of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:29, and SEQ ID NO:31.

The present invention also provides a nucleotide sequence comprising the Bacillus clausii sporulation factor SpollE protein. In some embodiments, the sequence comprises SEQ ID NO: 2. In further embodiments, the present invention provides hybridizable nucleotide sequences that remain hybridized under stringency conditions of low stringency, moderate stringency, and high stringency to a nucleotide sequence comprising the Bacillus clausii sporulation factor SpollE protein, wherein said sequence comprises SEQ ID NO: 2. The present invention also provides vectors comprising at least a portion of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In some preferred embodiments, the vectors further comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one polypeptide of interest. In still further embodiments, the present invention provides expression cassettes comprising these vector(s). In additional embodiments, the present invention provides host cells of the genus Bacillus comprising the expression cassette(s). In some particularly preferred embodiments, the host cell secretes at least one B. clausii sporulation factor. In still further embodiments, the sporulation factor comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments, the amino acid comprises a fragment of the amino acid sequence set forth SEQ ID NO: 1, while in alternative embodiments the amino acid comprises a variant of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

The present invention further provides methods for producing a protein of interest comprising the steps of: culturing a Bacillus host cell under suitable conditions, wherein the Bacillus host cell comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest, and wherein the host cell has been transformed with a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31; and allowing expression of the protein of interest. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequence is at least 85% identical to the sequence of a protein having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31. In further embodiments, the amino acid sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is a variant of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31. In alternative embodiments, the amino acid sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is a fragment of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31. The present invention also provides amino acid sequences that comprise hybrid B. clausii sequences.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the deduced amino acid sequence for SpollE from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:1).

FIG. 2 shows the DNA sequence for spollE from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:2).

FIG. 3A shows the deduced amino acid sequence for DegU from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:3).

FIG. 3B shows the deduced amino acid sequence for DegS from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:29).

FIG. 4A shows the DNA sequence for degU from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:4).

FIG. 4B shows the DNA sequence for degS from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:30).

FIG. 5 show the deduced amino acid sequence for FtsY from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:5).

FIG. 6 shows the DNA sequence for ftsY from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:6).

FIG. 7 show the deduced amino acid sequence for ffh from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:7).

FIG. 8 shows the DNA sequence for ffh from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:8).

FIG. 9 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SecA from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:9).

FIG. 10 shows the DNA sequence for secA from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:10).

FIG. 11 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SecD from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:11).

FIG. 12 shows the DNA sequence for secD from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:12).

FIG. 13 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SecE from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:13).

FIG. 14 shows the DNA sequence for secE from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:14).

FIG. 15 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SecF from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:15).

FIG. 16 shows the DNA sequence for secF from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:16). The nucleotide residue designated as “M” means that the nucleotide can be either a C or an A.

FIG. 17 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SecG from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:17).

FIG. 18 shows the DNA sequence for secG from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:18).

FIG. 19 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SecY from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:19).

FIG. 20 shows the DNA sequence for secY from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:20).

FIG. 21 depicts the synteny between three species in the spo0B region. Chromosome walking by inverso PCR was employed to connect two contigs in the spo0B region of B. clausii. The resulting closure allowed us to look at conservation of (or lack of) gene organization in this region containing the gene for the central component of the developmental phosphorelay signal transduction system. The yrxA to spo0B regions of the three chromosomes is conserved; nifS in B. clausii is on a third contig which has not to date been connected. The arrangement of genes in the region upstream of spo0B in B. subtilis is unique among the species compared here. The spo0B-contiguous hemEHY region in B. clausii is separated by an ABC transporter operon and a transposase gene in B. halodurans. This situation will most likely prove common in the clausii /halodurans comparison, as both species have in excess of 100 transposase genes.

FIG. 22 depicts the sporulation phosphorelay in Bacillus. This system is the central signal processing system determining whether cells enter into sporulation. It consists of an elaborated two component system which consist of a signal sensing histidine kinase and a response regulator. Further fine tuning of this particular system in response to a variety of signals is achieved through specific phosphatases (Rap proteins) which in turn are regulated through the action of cognate phosphatase inhibitory peptides, processed forms of Phr proteins. The large number of two component systems in bacterial species (at least 35 in B. subtilis) requires exquisite specificity of molecular recognition between kinase/response regulator protein pairs to assure that signals are not transduced incorrectly to homologous systems, so-called cross-talk. Green arrows indicate transcriptional or functional activation. Red lines indicate transcription repression or functional inactivation.

FIG. 23 depicts the alignment of phosphorelay component proteins Spo0F, Spo0B and Spo0A of B. subtilis (Bsu), B. clausii, and B. halodurans (Bhalo). Residues conserved in all three species are denoted with an asterisk; those conserved between subtilis and clausii are in red, between clausii and halodurans in blue and between subtilis and halodurans in green. The mosaic nature of the proteins is especially evident among the relatively low homology Spo0B proteins, where, in non-conserved positions, approximately 10% identity is seen between B. clausii vs B. subtilis as well as B. clausii vs B. halodurans, while approximately 20% identity is observed for the B. subtilis/B. halodurans comparison.

Active site D54 (0F), H30 (0B) and D56 (0A) residues are marked (Pi). The DNA binding helix-turn helix sequence of Spo0A is overlined (_H-T-H_). Residues conferring specificity of interaction (Hoch and Varughese, J. Bacteriol., 183: 4941–4949 [2001]) between response regulators, i.e. preventing cross-talk, are shown for Spo0F helix 1 (!), loop 4 (#) and helix 5 ($); residues contacted in Spo0B are shown with the corresponding designation as are the homologous residues in Spo0A. While these specificity residues are completely conserved in Spo0F and Spo0A, with the exception of the conservative E21 D substitution in B. halodurans Spo0A, only four of eleven contact residues of Spo0B are totally conserved, with additional residues 44,45, 67 and 100 conservatively substituted. This may reflect some degree of flexibility within this molecular recognition of partners in phosphorelay signal transduction systems, although assuredly these interactions must remain highly specific.

FIG. 24 depicts a multiple sequence alignment of putative Rap proteins from three Bacillus species. The alignment was performed using ClustalW. The dendrogram was constructed using the Phylip software package. For computation of the distance matrix the Dayhoff PAM matrix was used (“bh” indicates sequences from Bacillus halodurans, “bcl” indicates sequences from Bacillus clausii and “bs” indicates sequences from Bacillus subtilis).

Although it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular mechanism or theory, the tree suggests an early acquisition of a common ancestral gene followed by separate duplications in the three genomes. B. halodurans is unique in the small number of Rap phosphatases encoded in its genome relative to subtilis and clausi. B. subtilis RapD, an from the other subtilis Rap sequences, is most closely related to a pair of B. clausii Rap proteins which likewise fall outside the main B. clausii grouping. YopK in B. subtilis, similar to Rap phosphatases and followed by a potential Phr-encoding gene (but currently annotated as of unknown function), is homologous to clausii bcl80 and halodurans BH0061. B. clausii bcl80 is much shorter than YopK, sharing homology with only N-terminal 160 amino acids of 386 amino acid YopK. BH0061 is annotated as a 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase and is shorter than YopK by 100 amino acids.

FIG. 25 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SipS from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:21).

FIG. 26 shows the DNA sequence for sips from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:22).

FIG. 27 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SipT from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:23).

FIG. 28 shows the DNA sequence for sipT from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:24).

FIG. 29 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SipV from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:25).

FIG. 30 shows the DNA sequence for sipV from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:26).

FIG. 31 show the deduced amino acid sequence for SipW from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:27).

FIG. 32 shows the DNA sequence for sipW from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:28).

FIG. 33 shows the deduced amino acid sequence of bcl 2627 which is homologous to the transcriptional activator gene nprA from Bacillus stearothermophilus (SEQ ID NO:31).

FIG. 34 shows the DNA sequence of the gene bcl2627 from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:32).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in detail by way of reference only using the following definitions and examples. All patents and publications, including all sequences disclosed within such patents and publications, referred to herein are expressly incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms having exogenous nucleic acid sequences introduced therein and methods for producing proteins in such host cells, such as members of the genus Bacillus. More specifically, the present invention relates to the expression, production and secretion of a polypeptide of interest and to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention provides for the enhanced expression of a selected polypeptide by a microorganism.

Definitions

All patents and publications, including all sequences disclosed within such patents and publications, referred to herein are expressly incorporated by reference. Unless defined otherwise herein, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs (See e.g., Singleton, et al., DICTIONARY OF MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 2D ED., John Wiley and Sons, New York [1994]; and Hale and Marham, THE HARPER COLLINS DICTIONARY OF BIOLOGY, Harper Perennial, N.Y. [1991], both of which provide one of skill with a general dictionary of many of the terms used herein). Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described. Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. Unless otherwise indicated, nucleic acids are written left to right in 5′ to 3′ orientation; amino acid sequences are written left to right in amino to carboxy orientation, respectively. The headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspects or embodiments of the invention that can be had by reference to the specification as a whole. Accordingly, the terms defined immediately below are more fully defined by reference to the Specification as a whole.

As used herein, “host cell” refers to a cell that has the capacity to act as a host and expression vehicle for an expression cassette according to the invention. In one embodiment, the host cell is a Gram positive microorganism. In some preferred embodiments, the term refers to cells in the genus Bacillus.

As used herein, “the genus Bacillus” includes all members known to those of skill in the art, including but not limited to B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. lentus, B. brevis, B. stearothermophilus, B. alkalophilus, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. clausii, B. halodurans, B. megaterium, B. coagulans, B. circulans, B. lautus, and B. thuringiensis. It is recognized that the genus Bacillus continues to undergo taxonomical reorganization. Thus, it is intended that the genus include species that have been reclassified, including but not limited to such organisms as B. stearothermophilus, which is now named “Geobacillus stearothermophilus.” The production of resistant endospores in the presence of oxygen is considered the defining feature of the genus Bacillus, although this characteristic also applies to the recently named Alicyclobacillus, Amphibacillus, Aneurinibacillus, Anoxybacillus, Brevibacillus, Filobacillus, Gracilibacillus, Halobacillus, Paenibacillus, Salibacillus, Thermobacillus, Ureibacillus, and Virgibacillus.

The term “polypeptide,” as used herein, refers to a compound made up of amino acid residues linked by peptide bonds. The term “protein” as used herein, may be synonymous with the term “polypeptide” or may refer, in addition, to a complex of two or more polypeptides. Thus, the terms “protein,” “peptide,” and “polypeptide” are used interchangeably.

Additionally, a “protein of interest,” or “polypeptde of interest,” refers to the protein/polypeptide to be expressed and secreted by the host cell. The protein of interest may be any protein that up until now has been considered for expression in prokaryotes and/or eukaryotes. In one embodiment, the protein of interest which is translocated by the secretion-associated proteins or systems utilized by the host cell include proteins comprising a signal peptide. The protein of interest may be either homologous or heterologous to the host. In some embodiments, the protein of interest is a secreted polypeptide, particularly an enzyme which is selected from amylolytic enzymes, proteolytic enzymes, cellulytic enzymes, oxidoreductase enzymes and plant wall degrading enzymes. In further embodiments, these enzyme include amylases, proteases, xylanases, lipases, laccases, phenol oxidases, oxidases, cutinases, cellulases, hemicellulases, esterases, peroxidases, catalases, glucose oxidases, phytases, pectinases, glucosidases, isomerases, transferases, galactosidases and chitinases. In still further embodiments, the expressed polypeptide is a hormone, growth factor, receptor, vaccine, antibody, or the like. While it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular protein/polypeptide, in some most preferred embodiments, the expressed polypeptide is a protease.

As used herein, the terms “chimeric polypeptide” and “fusion polypeptide” are used interchangeably to refer to a protein that comprises at least two separate and distinct regions that may or may not originate from the same protein. For example, a signal peptide linked to the protein of interest wherein the signal peptide is not normally associated with the protein of interest would be termed a chimeric polypeptide or chimeric protein.

As used herein, “secretion-associated protein” as used herein refers to a protein involved in the secretion of a protein of interest from a host cell. The secretion-associated proteins may assist a nascent (i.e., during or immediately after synthesis), protein to fold correctly, to assist in the movement of a protein from the intracellular to extracellular environment (e.g., moving through the cytoplasm to the cell membrane and/or across the membrane/cell wall to the extracellular milieu, etc.), appropriate processing and the like. Proteins involved in any aspect of the movement of a protein once it is synthesized intracellularly until it emerges on the external surface of the cell membrane are considered to have secretion-associated activity or function. In one embodiment, a secretion-associated protein comprises a protein involved in assisting the nascent protein of interest achieve a correctly folded conformation. In another embodiment, the secretion-associated protein comprises a protein from the Sec pathway. The terms “secretion-associated protein,” “secretion-associated factor,” and “secretion factor” are all used interchangeably herein.

As used herein, the term “hybrid” refers to a sequence (e.g., a secretion factor) containing sequences derived from two or more orthologs. Thus, a “hybrid gene” or “hybrid protein” is a gene or protein, respectively, in which two or more fragment sequences are derived from two or more strains of Bacillus.

In an embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise a sequence from a single ortholog. In another embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise less than 5 sequences from a single ortholog. In a further embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise sequences from two orthologs. In one embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise a single amino acid. In another embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise from between two amino acids to five, 10, 15, 20 aminio acids. In a further embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise from about 2% to about 50%, of the total amino acid residues, of the secretion factor sequence.

In another embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise great than two amino acids and less than five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 amino acids. In a further embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise less than about 50%, in total, of the hybrid secretion factor sequence when compared to the wild-type B. clausii secretion factor.

As used herein, the terms “chimeric polypeptide” and “fusion polypeptide” are used interchangeably to refer to a protein that comprises at least two separate and distinct regions that may or may not originate from the same protein. For example, a signal peptide linked to the protein of interest wherein the signal peptide is not normally associated with the protein of interest would be termed a chimeric polypeptide or chimeric protein.

As used herein, the terms “chimeric DNA construct” and “heterologous nucleic acid construct,” refer to a gene (i.e., one that has been introduced into a host) that is comprised of parts of different genes, including regulatory elements. Thus, in some embodiments, a chimeric gene is an endogenous gene operably linked to a promoter that is not its native promoter. A chimeric gene construct for transformation of a host cell is typically composed of a transcriptional regulatory region (promoter) operably linked to a protein coding sequence, or, in a selectable marker chimeric gene, to a selectable marker gene encoding a protein conferring antimicrobial resistance to transformed cells. In one embodiment, a typical chimeric gene construct of the present invention useful for transformation into a host cell comprises a transcriptional regulatory region that is constitutive or inducible, a signal peptide coding sequence, a protein coding sequence, and a terminator sequence. In other embodiments, the chimeric gene comprises a promoter operably linked to a phr gene. In yet other embodiments, the chimeric gene comprises a promoter operably linked to a gene encoding a protein of interest. In still further embodiments, chimeric gene constructs also comprise a second DNA sequence encoding a signal peptide if secretion of the target protein is desired.

Thus, “hybrid” is used to describe the secretion factor and the nucleotide encoding it, while “chimeric” is used to describe the DNA construct with regulatory elements. Thus, the chimeric gene or chimeric DNA construct may encode a hybrid secretion factor.

As used herein, “variant” refers to a protein which is derived from a precursor protein (e.g., a B. clausii secretion factor) by addition of one or more amino acids to either or both the C- and N-terminal end, substitution of one or more amino acids at one or a number of different sites in the amino acid sequence, deletion of one or more amino acids at either or both ends of the protein or at one or more sites in the amino acid sequence, and/or insertion of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the amino acid sequence. A “B. clausii secretion factor variant” refers a B. clausii secretion factor modified as described above. The preparation of a B. clausii secretion factor variant is preferably achieved by modifying a DNA sequence which encodes for the native protein, transformation of that DNA sequence into a suitable host, and expression of the modified DNA sequence to form the derivative enzyme. The variant B. clausii secretion factors of the invention include peptides comprising altered amino acid sequences in comparison with a precursor enzyme amino acid sequence wherein the variant B. clausii secretion factor retains the characteristic secretion factor nature of the precursor B. clausii secretion factor but which may have altered properties in some specific aspect. For example, in some embodiments, variant B. clausii secretion factors have increased stability under oxidative conditions but retain their characteristic secretion factor activity. However, the activity of the variant may be increased or decreased relative to the precursor secretion factor. It is contemplated that the variants according to the present invention may be derived from a DNA fragment encoding a B. clausii secretion factor variant wherein the functional activity of the expressed B. clausii secretion factor variant is retained. For example, in some embodiments, a DNA fragment encoding a B. clausii secretion factor further includes a DNA sequence or portion thereof encoding a hinge or linker attached to the B. clausii secretion factor DNA sequence at either the 5′ or 3′ end wherein the functional activity of the encoded B. clausii secretion factor domain is retained.

A “signal peptide,” as used herein, refers to an amino-terminal extension on a protein to be secreted. “Signal sequence” is used interchangeably herein. In most preferred embodiments, secreted proteins use an amino-terminal protein extension which plays a crucial role in the targeting to and translocation of precursor proteins across the membrane and which is proteolytically removed by a signal peptidase during or immediately following membrane transfer. In preferred embodiments, the signal sequence is the sec-dependent signal peptides derived from Bacillus.

As used herein, the term “enhanced” refers to improved production of proteins of interest. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides enhanced (i.e., improved) production and secretion of a protein of interest. In these embodiments, the “enhanced” production is improved as compared to the normal levels of production by the host (e.g., wild-type cells). Thus, for heterologous proteins, basically any expression is enhanced, as the cells normally do not produce the protein.

As used herein, the terms “isolated” and “purified” refer to a nucleic acid or amino acid that is removed from at least one component with which it is naturally associated.

As used herein, the term “heterologous protein” refers to a protein or polypeptide that does not naturally occur in a host cell. Examples of heterologous proteins include enzymes such as hydrolases including proteases, cellulases, amylases, other carbohydrases, and lipases; isomerases such as racemases, epimerases, tautomerases, or mutases; transferases, kinases and phosphatases, hormones, growth factors, cytokines, antibodies and the like. Thus, in some embodiments, heterologous proteins comprise therapeutically significant protein or peptides (e.g., growth factors, cytokines, ligands, receptors and inhibitors), as well as vaccines and antibodies. In alternate embodiments, the protein is a commercially important industrial protein or peptide. It is intended that the term encompass protein that are encoded by naturally occurring genes, mutated genes, and/or synthetic genes.

As used herein, the terms “heterologous nucleic acid construct” and “heterologous nucleic acid sequence” refer to a portion of a genetic sequence that is not native to the cell in which it is expressed. “Heterologous,” with respect to a control sequence refers to a control sequence (i.e., promoter or enhancer) that does not function in nature to regulate the same gene the expression of which it is currently regulating. Generally, heterologous nucleic acid sequences are not endogenous to the cell or part of the genome in which they are present, and have been added to the cell, by infection, transfection, microinjection, electroporation, or the like. In some embodiments, “heterologous nucleic acid constructs” contain a control sequence/DNA coding sequence combination that is the same as, or different from a control sequence/DNA coding sequence combination found in the native cell.

As used herein, the term “homologous protein” refers to a protein or polypeptide native or naturally occurring in a host cell. The present invention encompasses host cells producing the homologous protein via recombinant DNA technology. The present invention further encompasses a host cells with one or more deletions or one or more interruptions of the nucleic acid encoding the naturally occurring homologous protein or proteins, such as, for example, a protease, and having nucleic acid encoding the homologous protein or proteins re-introduced in a recombinant form (i.e., in an expression cassette). In other embodiments, the host cell produces the homologous protein.

As used herein, the term “nucleic acid molecule” includes RNA, DNA and cDNA molecules. It will be understood that, as a result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, a multitude of nucleotide sequences encoding a given protein may be produced.

As used herein, the term “vector” refers to a nucleic acid construct designed for transfer between different host cells. An “expression vector” refers to a vector that has the ability to incorporate and express heterologous DNA fragments in a foreign cell. Many prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression vectors are commercially available. Selection of appropriate expression vectors is within the knowledge of those having skill in the art.

As used herein, the terms “expression cassette” and “expression vector” refer to a nucleic acid construct generated recombinantly or synthetically, with a series of specified nucleic acid elements that permit transcription of a particular nucleic acid in a target cell. The recombinant expression cassette can be incorporated into a plasmid, chromosome, mitochondrial DNA, plastid DNA, virus, or nucleic acid fragment. Typically, the recombinant expression cassette portion of an expression vector includes, among other sequences, a nucleic acid sequence to be transcribed and a promoter.

As used herein, the term “plasmid” refers to a circular double-stranded (ds) DNA construct used as a cloning vector, and which forms an extrachromosomal self-replicating genetic element in many bacteria and some eukaryotes.

As used herein, the term “selectable marker-encoding nucleotide sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence which is capable of expression in the host cells and where expression of the selectable marker confers to cells containing the expressed gene the ability to grow in the presence of a corresponding selective agent or lack of an essential nutrient.

As used herein, the term “selectable marker” refers to a gene capable of expression in host cell which allows for ease of selection of those hosts containing the vector. Examples of such selectable markers include but are not limited to antimicrobials, (e.g., kanamycin, erythromycin, actinomycin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline). Thus, the term “selectable marker” refers to genes that provide an indication that a host cell has taken up an incoming DNA of interest or some other reaction has occurred. Typically, selectable markers are genes that confer antimicrobial resistance or a metabolic advantage on the host cell to allow cells containing the exogenous DNA to be distinguished from cells that have not received any exogenous sequence during the transformation. A “residing selectable marker” is one that is located on the chromosome of the microorganism to be transformed. A residing selectable marker encodes a gene that is different from the selectable marker on the transforming DNA construct.

As used herein, the term “promoter” refers to a nucleic acid sequence that functions to direct transcription of a downstream gene. In preferred embodiments, the promoter is appropriate to the host cell in which the target gene is being expressed. The promoter, together with other transcriptional and translational regulatory nucleic acid sequences (also termed “control sequences”) is necessary to express a given gene. In general, the transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences include, but are not limited to, promoter sequences, ribosomal binding sites, transcriptional start and stop sequences, translational start and stop sequences, and enhancer or activator sequences.

A nucleic acid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For example, DNA encoding a secretory leader (i.e., a signal peptide), is operably linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to facilitate translation. Generally, “operably linked” means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading phase. However, enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplished by ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used in accordance with conventional practice.

As used herein, the term “gene” means the segment of DNA involved in producing a polypeptide chain, that may or may not include regions preceding and following the coding region (e.g. 5′ untranslated (5′ UTR) or “leader” sequences and 3′ UTR or “trailer” sequences), as well as intervening sequences (introns) between individual coding segments (exons).

In some embodiments, the gene encodes therapeutically significant proteins or peptides, such as growth factors, cytokines, ligands, receptors and inhibitors, as well as vaccines and antibodies. The gene may encode commercially important industrial proteins or peptides, such as enzymes (e.g., proteases, carbohydrases such as amylases and glucoamylases, cellulases, oxidases and lipases). However, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular enzyme or protein. In some embodiments, the gene of interest is a naturally-occurring gene, a mutated gene or a synthetic gene.

As used herein, a “deletion” is defined as a change in either nucleotide or amino acid sequence in which one or more nucleotides or amino acid residues, respectively, are absent.

As used herein, an “insertion” or “addition” is that change in a nucleotide or amino acid sequence which has resulted in the addition of one or more nucleotides or amino acid residues, respectively, as compared to the naturally occurring sequence (e.g., a B. clausii secretion factor).

As used herein, a “substitution” results from the replacement of one or more nucleotides or amino acids by different nucleotides or amino acids, respectively.

As used herein, “homologous genes” refers to a pair of genes from different, but usually related species, which correspond to each other and which are identical or very similar to each other. The term encompasses genes that are separated by speciation (i.e., the development of new species) (e.g., orthologous genes), as well as genes that have been separated by genetic duplication (e.g., paralogous genes).

As used herein, “ortholog” and “orthologous genes” refer to genes in different species that have evolved from a common ancestral gene (i.e., a homologous gene) by speciation. Typically, orthologs retain the same function in during the course of evolution. Identification of orthologs finds use in the reliable prediction of gene function in newly sequenced genomes.

As used herein, “paralog” and “paralogous genes” refer to genes that are related by duplication within a genome. While orthologs retain the same function through the course of evolution, paralogs evolve new functions, even though some functions are often related to the original one. Examples of paralogous genes include, but are not limited to genes encoding trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, and thrombin, which are all serine proteinases and occur together within the same species.

As used herein, “homology” refers to sequence similarity or identity, with identity being preferred. This homology is determined using standard techniques known in the art (See e.g., Smith and Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math., 2:482 [1981]; Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol., 48:443 [1970]; Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444 [1988]; programs such as GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package (Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis.); and Devereux et al., Nucl. Acid Res., 12:387–395 [1984]).

One example of a useful algorithm is PILEUP. PILEUP creates a multiple sequence alignment from a group of related sequences using progressive, pairwise alignments. It can also plot a tree showing the clustering relationships used to create the alignment. PILEUP uses a simplification of the progressive alignment method of Feng and Doolittle, (Feng and Doolittle, J. Mol. Evol., 35:351–360 [1987]). The method is similar to that described by Higgins and Sharp (Higgins and Sharp, CABIOS 5:151–153 [1989]). Useful PILEUP parameters including a default gap weight of 3.00, a default gap length weight of 0.10, and weighted end gaps.

Another example of a useful algorithm is the BLAST algorithm, described by Altschul et al., (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 215:403–410, [1990]; and Karlin et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873–5787 [1993]). A particularly useful BLAST program is the WU-BLAST-2 program (See, Altschul et al., Meth. Enzymol., 266:460–480 [1996]). WU-BLAST-2 uses several search parameters, most of which are set to the default values. The adjustable parameters are set with the following values: overlap span=1, overlap fraction=0.125, word threshold (T)=11. The HSP S and HSP S2 parameters are dynamic values and are established by the program itself depending upon the composition of the particular sequence and composition of the particular database against which the sequence of interest is being searched. However, the values may be adjusted to increase sensitivity. A % amino acid sequence identity value is determined by the number of matching identical residues divided by the total number of residues of the “longer” sequence in the aligned region. The “longer” sequence is the one having the most actual residues in the aligned region (gaps introduced by WU-Blast-2 to maximize the alignment score are ignored).

Thus, “percent (%) nucleic acid sequence identity” is defined as the percentage of nucleotide residues in a candidate sequence that are identical with the nucleotide residues of the sequence shown in the nucleic acid figures. A preferred method utilizes the BLASTN module of WU-BLAST-2 set to the default parameters, with overlap span and overlap fraction set to 1 and 0.125, respectively.

The alignment may include the introduction of gaps in the sequences to be aligned. In addition, for sequences which contain either more or fewer nucleosides than those of the nucleic acid figures, it is understood that the percentage of homology will be determined based on the number of homologous nucleosides in relation to the total number of nucleosides. Thus, for example, homology of sequences shorter than those of the sequences identified herein and as discussed below, will be determined using the number of nucleosides in the shorter sequence.

As used herein, the term “hybridization” refers to the process by which a strand of nucleic acid joins with a complementary strand through base pairing, as known in the art.

As used herein, “maximum stringency” refers to the level of hybridization that typically occurs at about Tm-5° C. (5° C. below the Tm of the probe); “high stringency” at about 5° C. to 10° C. below Tm; “intermediate stringency” at about 10° C. to 20° C. below Tm; and “low stringency” at about 20° C. to 25° C. below Tm. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, a maximum stringency hybridization can be used to identify or detect identical polynucleotide sequences while an intermediate or low stringency hybridization can be used to identify or detect polynucleotide sequence homologs.

A nucleic acid sequence is considered to be “selectively hybridizable” to a reference nucleic acid sequence if the two sequences specifically hybridize to one another under moderate to high stringency hybridization and wash conditions. Hybridization conditions are based on the melting temperature I of the nucleic acid binding complex or probe. For example, “maximum stringency” typically occurs at about Tm-5° C. (50 below the Tm of the probe); “high stringency” at about 5–10° C. below the Tm; “intermediate stringency” at about 10–20° C. below the Tm of the probe; and “low stringency” at about 20–25° C. below the Tm. Functionally, maximum stringency conditions may be used to identify sequences having strict identity or near-strict identity with the hybridization probe; while an intermediate or low stringency hybridization can be used to identify or detect polynucleotide sequence homologs.

Moderate and high stringency hybridization conditions are well known in the art. An example of high stringency conditions includes hybridization at about 42° C. in 50% formamide, 5×SSC, 5× Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS and 100 μg/ml denatured carrier DNA followed by washing two times in 2×SSC and 0.5% SDS at room temperature and two additional times in 0.1×SSC and 0.5% SDS at 42° C.

As used herein, “recombinant” includes reference to a cell or vector, that has been modified by the introduction of a heterologous nucleic acid sequence or that the cell is derived from a cell so modified. Thus, for example, recombinant cells express genes that are not found in identical form within the native (non-recombinant) form of the cell or express native genes that are otherwise abnormally expressed, under expressed or not expressed at all as a result of deliberate human intervention. “Recombination, “recombining,” or generating a Recombined” nucleic acid is generally the assembly of two or more nucleic acid fragments wherein the assembly gives rise to a chimeric gene.

As used herein, the terms “transformed,” “stably transformed,” and “transgenic” used in reference to a cell means the cell has a non-native (heterologous) nucleic acid sequence integrated into its genome or as an episomal plasmid that is maintained through two or more generations.

As used herein, the term “expression” refers to the process by which a polypeptide is produced based on the nucleic acid sequence of a gene. The process includes both transcription and translation.

As used herein, the term “introduced” used in the context of inserting a nucleic acid sequence into a cell, means “transfection,” “transformation,” or “transduction,” and includes reference to the incorporation of a nucleic acid sequence into a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell where the nucleic acid sequence may be incorporated into the genome of the cell (e.g., chromosome, plasmid, plastid, or mitochondrial DNA), converted into an autonomous replicon, or transiently expressed (for example, transfected mRNA).

As used herein, “transforming DNA,” “transforming sequence,” and “DNA construct” refer to DNA that is used to introduce sequences into a host cell or organism. Transforming DNA is DNA used to introduce sequences into a host cell or organism. The DNA may be generated in vitro by PCR or any other suitable techniques. In some preferred embodiments, the transforming DNA comprises an incoming sequence, while in other preferred embodiments it further comprise an incoming sequence flanked by homology boxes. In yet a further embodiment, the transforming DNA may comprise other non-homologous sequences, added to the ends (i.e., stuffer sequences or flanks). The ends can be closed such that the transforming DNA forms a closed circle, such as, for example, insertion into a vector.

In a preferred embodiment, mutant DNA sequences are generated with site saturation mutagenesis in at least one codon. In another preferred embodiment, site saturation mutagenesis is performed for two or more codons. In a further embodiment, mutant DNA sequences have more than 40%, more than 45%, more than 50%, more than 55%, more than 60%, more than 65%, more than 70%, more than 75%, more than 80%, more than 85%, more than 90%, more than 95%, or more than 98% homology with the wild-type sequence. In alternative embodiments, mutant DNA is generated in vivo using any known mutagenic procedure such as, for example, radiation, nitrosoguanidine and the like. The desired DNA sequence is then isolated and used in the methods provided herein.

In an alternative embodiment, the transforming DNA sequence comprises homology boxes without the presence of an incoming sequence. In this embodiment, it is desired to delete the endogenous DNA sequence between the two homology boxes. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the transforming sequences are wild-type, while in other embodiments, they are mutant or modified sequences. In addition, in some embodiments, the transforming sequences are homologous, while in other embodiments, they are heterologous.

As used herein, the term “incoming sequence” refers to a DNA sequence that is introduced into the Bacillus chromosome or genome. In preferred embodiments, the incoming sequence encodes one or more proteins of interest. In some embodiments, the incoming sequence comprises a sequence that may or may not already be present in the genome of the cell to be transformed (i.e., it may be either a homologous or heterologous sequence). In some embodiments, the incoming sequence encodes one or more proteins of interest, a gene, and/or a mutated or modified gene. In some embodiments, the incoming sequence includes a selectable marker, such as a gene that confers resistance to an antimicrobial.

In one embodiment, the incoming sequence encodes at least one heterologous protein including, but not limited to hormones, enzymes, and growth factors. In another embodiment, the enzyme includes, but is not limited to hydrolases, such as protease, esterase, lipase, phenol oxidase, permease, amylase, pullulanase, cellulase, glucose isomerase, laccase and protein disulfide isomerase.

In alternative embodiments, the incoming sequence encodes a functional wild-type gene or operon, a functional mutant gene or operon, or a non-functional gene or operon. In some embodiments, the non-functional sequence may be inserted into a gene to disrupt function of the gene.

As used herein, the term “target sequence” refers to a DNA sequence in the host cell that encodes the sequence where it is desired for the incoming sequence to be inserted into the host cell genome. In some embodiments, the target sequence encodes a functional wild-type gene or operon, while in other embodiments the target sequence encodes a functional mutant gene or operon, or a non-functional gene or operon.

As used herein, a “flanking sequence” refers to any sequence that is either upstream or downstream of the sequence being discussed (e.g., for genes A B C, gene B is flanked by the A and C gene sequences). In a preferred embodiment, the incoming sequence is flanked by a homology box on each side. In another embodiment, the incoming sequence and the homology boxes comprise a unit that is flanked by stuffer sequence on each side. In some embodiments, a flanking sequence is present on only a single side (either 3′ or 5′), but in preferred embodiments, it is on each side of the sequence being flanked. The sequence of each homology box is homologous to a sequence in the Bacillus chromosome. These sequences direct where in the Bacillus chromosome the new construct gets integrated and what part of the Bacillus chromosome will be replaced by the incoming sequence.

As used herein, the term “stuffer sequence” refers to any extra DNA that flanks homology boxes (typically vector sequences). However, the term encompasses any non-homologous DNA sequence. Not to be limited by any theory, a stuffer sequence provides a noncritical target for a cell to initiate DNA uptake.

As used herein, the term “chromosomal integration” refers to the process whereby the incoming sequence is introduced into the chromosome of a host cell (e.g., Bacillus). The homology boxes of the transforming DNA align with homologous regions of the chromosome. Subsequently, the sequence between the homology boxes is replaced by the incoming sequence in a double crossover (i.e., homologous recombination).

As used herein, the term “homologous recombination” refers to the exchange of DNA fragments between two DNA molecules or paired chromosomes (e.g., during crossing over) at the site of identical nucleotide sequences. In a preferred embodiment, chromosomal integration is by homologous recombination.

As used herein, the term “library of mutants” refers to a population of cells which are identical in most of their genome but include different homologues of one or more genes. Such libraries find use for example, in methods to identify genes or operons with improved traits.

As used herein, the terms “hypercompetent” and “super competent” mean that greater than 1% of a cell population is transformable with chromosomal DNA (e.g., Bacillus DNA). Alternatively, the terms are used in reference to cell populations in which greater than 10% of a cell population is transformable with a self-replicating plasmid (e.g., a Bacillus plasmid). Preferably, the super competent cells are transformed at a rate greater than observed for the wild-type or parental cell population. Super competent and hypercompetent are used interchangeably herein

As used herein, the terms “amplification” and “gene amplification” refer to a process by which specific DNA sequences are disproportionately replicated such that the amplified gene becomes present in a higher copy number than was initially present in the genome. In some embodiments, selection of cells by growth in the presence of a drug (e.g., an inhibitor of an inhibitable enzyme) results in the amplification of either the endogenous gene encoding the gene product required for growth in the presence of the drug or by amplification of exogenous (i.e., input) sequences encoding this gene product, or both.

“Amplification” is a special case of nucleic acid replication involving template specificity. It is to be contrasted with non-specific template replication (i.e., replication that is template-dependent but not dependent on a specific template). Template specificity is here distinguished from fidelity of replication (i.e., synthesis of the proper polynucleotide sequence) and nucleotide (ribo- or deoxyribo-) specificity. Template specificity is frequently described in terms of “target” specificity. Target sequences are “targets” in the sense that they are sought to be sorted out from other nucleic acid. Amplification techniques have been designed primarily for this sorting out.

As used herein, the term “co-amplification” refers to the introduction into a single cell of an amplifiable marker in conjunction with other gene sequences (i.e., comprising one or more non-selectable genes such as those contained within an expression vector) and the application of appropriate selective pressure such that the cell amplifies both the amplifiable marker and the other, non-selectable gene sequences. The amplifiable marker may be physically linked to the other gene sequences or alternatively two separate pieces of DNA, one containing the amplifiable marker and the other containing the non-selectable marker, may be introduced into the same cell.

As used herein, the terms “amplifiable marker,” “amplifiable gene,” and “amplification vector” refer to a gene or a vector encoding a gene which permits the amplification of that gene under appropriate growth conditions.

“Template specificity” is achieved in most amplification techniques by the choice of enzyme. Amplification enzymes are enzymes that, under conditions they are used, will process only specific sequences of nucleic acid in a heterogeneous mixture of nucleic acid. For example, in the case of Qβ replicase, MDV-1 RNA is the specific template for the replicase (See e.g., Kacian et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 69:3038 [1972]). Other nucleic acids are not replicated by this amplification enzyme. Similarly, in the case of T7 RNA polymerase, this amplification enzyme has a stringent specificity for its own promoters (See, Chamberlin et al., Nature 228:227 [1970]). In the case of T4 DNA ligase, the enzyme will not ligate the two oligonucleotides or polynucleotides, where there is a mismatch between the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide substrate and the template at the ligation junction (See, Wu and Wallace, Genomics 4:560 [1989]). Finally, Taq and Pfu polymerases, by virtue of their ability to function at high temperature, are found to display high specificity for the sequences bounded and thus defined by the primers; the high temperature results in thermodynamic conditions that favor primer hybridization with the target sequences and not hybridization with non-target sequences.

As used herein, the term “amplifiable nucleic acid” refers to nucleic acids which may be amplified by any amplification method. It is contemplated that “amplifiable nucleic acid” will usually comprise “sample template.”

As used herein, the term “sample template” refers to nucleic acid originating from a sample which is analyzed for the presence of “target” (defined below). In contrast, “background template” is used in reference to nucleic acid other than sample template which may or may not be present in a sample. Background template is most often inadvertent. It may be the result of carryover, or it may be due to the presence of nucleic acid contaminants sought to be purified away from the sample. For example, nucleic acids from organisms other than those to be detected may be present as background in a test sample.

As used herein, the term “primer” refers to an oligonucleotide, whether occurring naturally as in a purified restriction digest or produced synthetically, which is capable of acting as a point of initiation of synthesis when placed under conditions in which synthesis of a primer extension product which is complementary to a nucleic acid strand is induced, (i.e., in the presence of nucleotides and an inducing agent such as DNA polymerase and at a suitable temperature and pH). The primer is preferably single stranded for maximum efficiency in amplification, but may alternatively be double stranded. If double stranded, the primer is first treated to separate its strands before being used to prepare extension products. Preferably, the primer is an oligodeoxyribonucleotide. The primer must be sufficiently long to prime the synthesis of extension products in the presence of the inducing agent. The exact lengths of the primers will depend on many factors, including temperature, source of primer and the use of the method.

As used herein, the term “probe” refers to an oligonucleotide (i.e., a sequence of nucleotides), whether occurring naturally as in a purified restriction digest or produced synthetically, recombinantly or by PCR amplification, which is capable of hybridizing to another oligonucleotide of interest. A probe may be single-stranded or double-stranded. Probes are useful in the detection, identification and isolation of particular gene sequences. It is contemplated that any probe used in the present invention will be labeled with any “reporter molecule,” so that is detectable in any detection system, including, but not limited to enzyme (e.g., ELISA, as well as enzyme-based histochemical assays), fluorescent, radioactive, and luminescent systems. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular detection system or label.

As used herein, the term “target,” when used in reference to the polymerase chain reaction, refers to the region of nucleic acid bounded by the primers used for polymerase chain reaction. Thus, the “target” is sought to be sorted out from other nucleic acid sequences. A “segment” is defined as a region of nucleic acid within the target sequence.

As used herein, the term “polymerase chain reaction” (“PCR”) refers to the methods of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 4,683,202, and 4,965,188, hereby incorporated by reference, which include methods for increasing the concentration of a segment of a target sequence in a mixture of genomic DNA without cloning or purification. This process for amplifying the target sequence consists of introducing a large excess of two oligonucleotide primers to the DNA mixture containing the desired target sequence, followed by a precise sequence of thermal cycling in the presence of a DNA polymerase. The two primers are complementary to their respective strands of the double stranded target sequence. To effect amplification, the mixture is denatured and the primers then annealed to their complementary sequences within the target molecule. Following annealing, the primers are extended with a polymerase so as to form a new pair of complementary strands. The steps of denaturation, primer annealing and polymerase extension can be repeated many times (i.e., denaturation, annealing and extension constitute one “cycle”; there can be numerous “cycles”) to obtain a high concentration of an amplified segment of the desired target sequence. The length of the amplified segment of the desired target sequence is determined by the relative positions of the primers with respect to each other, and therefore, this length is a controllable parameter. By virtue of the repeating aspect of the process, the method is referred to as the “polymerase chain reaction” (hereinafter “PCR”). Because the desired amplified segments of the target sequence become the predominant sequences (in terms of concentration) in the mixture, they are said to be “PCR amplified”.

As used herein, the term “amplification reagents” refers to those reagents (deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates, buffer, etc.), needed for amplification except for primers, nucleic acid template and the amplification enzyme. Typically, amplification reagents along with other reaction components are placed and contained in a reaction vessel (test tube, microwell, etc.).

With PCR, it is possible to amplify a single copy of a specific target sequence in genomic DNA to a level detectable by several different methodologies (e.g., hybridization with a labeled probe; incorporation of biotinylated primers followed by avidin-enzyme conjugate detection; incorporation of ³²P-labeled deoxynucleotide triphosphates, such as dCTP or dATP, into the amplified segment). In addition to genomic DNA, any oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequence can be amplified with the appropriate set of primer molecules. In particular, the amplified segments created by the PCR process itself are, themselves, efficient templates for subsequent PCR amplifications.

As used herein, the terms “PCR product,” “PCR fragment,” and “amplification product” refer to the resultant mixture of compounds after two or more cycles of the PCR steps of denaturation, annealing and extension are complete. These terms encompass the case where there has been amplification of one or more segments of one or more target sequences.

As used herein, the term “RT-PCR” refers to the replication and amplification of RNA sequences. In this method, reverse transcription is coupled to PCR, most often using a one enzyme procedure in which a thermostable polymerase is employed, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,770, herein incorporated by reference. In RT-PCR, the RNA template is converted to cDNA due to the reverse transcriptase activity of the polymerase, and then amplified using the polymerizing activity of the polymerase (i.e., as in other PCR methods).

As used herein, the terms “restriction endonucleases” and “restriction enzymes” refer to bacterial enzymes, each of which cut double-stranded DNA at or near a specific nucleotide sequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms having exogenous nucleic acid sequences introduced therein and methods for producing proteins in such host cells, such as members of the genus Bacillus. More specifically, the present invention relates to the expression, production and secretion of a polypeptide of interest and to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention provides for the enhanced expression of a selected polypeptide by a microorganism.

Many industrially important products (e.g., enzymes, hormones, growth factors, and other proteins) are produced from members of the genus Bacillus in large scale fermentation processes, including without limitation, proteases, lipases, amylases, and beta-glucanases. These products (i.e., proteins of interest) are either homologous or heterologous to the host. For homologous proteins, “overexpression” refers to expression above normal levels in the host cell. For heterologous proteins, any expression is of course “overexpression.” Thus, it is advantageous to have a cell that will fail to sporulate yet possesses enhanced expression of gene(s) of interest.

In order to address some of the needs in the art, in one embodiment the present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding secretion factors involved in protein secretion from Gram-positive host cells. In some embodiments, these sequences find use in the replacement of a host Bacillus species' genes with the inventive B. clausii genes provided herein to alter the secretion profile of proteins of interest, such that there is a greater level of protein production by the transformed host Bacillus cell. In one preferred embodiment, the host Bacillus cell is B. subtilis. In an alternative embodiment, the host cell is B. clausii. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides methods to enhance the secretion (i.e., production and expression) of any protein of interest.

Bacillus clausii Nucleotide Sequences

During the development of the present invention, a large number of bacterial strains from extreme environments were collected. An obligate alkalophilic Bacillus was identified as Bacillus clausii, based on 16S RNA gene sequences. This strain was given the designation “PB92.” Strain PB92 was deposited in the ATCC collection as ATCC 31408, in the collection of the Laboratory for Microbiology of the Technical University of Delft as OR-60, and in the collection of the Fermentation Research Institute of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology in Japan as FERM-P 3304.

As discussed in greater detail below, the B. clausii (PB92) sequence was compared with genomes of B. subtilis and B. halodurans. Although the B. clausii sequence was highly similar to the sequences from both of the other members of the genus Bacillus, the data suggest that there is a closer relationship between B. clausii and B. halodurans, than between B. clausii and B. subtilis. However, as shown in FIG. 21, there are also clear examples of genes in B. clausii that are more similar to B. subtilis than B. halodurans.

Sequencing

A shotgun library of the B. clausii PB92 genome was sequenced using standard methods known in the art. The subsequent assembly of the individual sequences resulted in 450 non-overlapping contigs with a total length of 4,345,345 base pairs. Gene prediction was performed automatically using the Orpheus software (Frishman et al., Nuc. Acids Res., 26:2941–7 [1998]). All predicted open reading frame (ORF) boundaries were manually refined on the basis of extrinsic evidence. Intergenic regions of the genome and ORFs for which no match could be found in a non-redundant protein database were reevaluated using BLASTX. ORFs were then extrapolated from the regions of alignments. Additional genetic elements (tRNAs, rRNAs, scRNAs, transposable elements) were also annotated. ORFs that were internal to or overlapping with known genetic elements were modified or removed from the data set. The main vehicle for automatic and manual annotation of the gene products was the Pedant-Pro™ Sequence Analysis Suite (Frishman et al., Bioinformatics 17:44–57 [2001]). Extracted proteins were subjected to exhaustive bioinformatics analyses, including similarity searches, protein motif identification, and protein secondary structure and feature prediction, including sensitive fold recognition. For each ORF, functional categories were manually assigned according to the MIPS Functional Catalogue (Mewes et al., Nature 387:7–65 [1997]).

Sequences

The sequences of various regulatory and/or secretion associated proteins are shown in FIGS. 1 through 20 and 25–32. FIG. 1 shows the deduced amino acid for SpollE from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:1). FIG. 2 shows the DNA sequence for spollE from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:2). It is a desirable characteristic that a production strain be deficient in sporulation. Thus, experiments were conducted to assess the sporulation characteristics of the B. clausii identified during the development of the present invention.

B. subtilis is capable of entering sporulation during times of great stress in the environment, such as extreme lack of nutrients. Making this decision triggers a very elaborate and energy-expensive conversion to the sporulation development state. Over 50 genes which need to be expressed for sporulation are under the control of eight sporulation control genes, namely Spo0A, Spo0B, Spo0lE, Spo0F, Spo0H, Spo0J, Spo0K, and Spo0L, with spo0A being the most critical control factor. Mutation in the sporulation control genes allows the cells to ignore their environment, so that they fail to enter sporulation and continue production of heterologous and/or homologous proteins. Although it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular mechanism or theory, it is believed that the spollE gene of B. clausii functions in a manner similar to the B. subtilis homolog. Thus, it is contemplated that by mutating the spollE gene in B. clausii, a beneficial sporulation-deficient strain will result.

FIG. 3 shows the deduced amino acid for the DegS (SEQ ID NO:29) and DegU (SEQ ID NO:3) from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:3), while FIG. 4 shows the DNA sequence coding for degS (SEQ ID NO:30) and degU from B. clausii (SEQ ID NO:4). The degS and degU genes of B. subtilis belong to the family of two-components regulatory systems, and encode proteins involved in the control of expression of different cellular functions, including degradative enzyme synthesis, competence for DNA uptake and the presence of flagella. Two classes of mutations have been identified in both genes. One class of mutations leads to decreased expression (degU mutations), while the second one leads to enhanced expression [degU(Hy) mutations] of regulated genes (i.e., genes regulated by the degU system) (Msadeck et al., In: Sonenshein et al., (eds.), Bacillus subtilis and Other Gram-Positive Bacteria, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., page 729–745 [1993]). This second class of mutations is associated with a pleiotropic phenotype which, in B. subtilis, includes the ability to sporulate in the presence of glucose, loss of flagella, and decreased genetic competence.

It is known that several of the production Bacillus strains carry one or more mutations in either the degS or the degU genes which confer certain characteristics such as lower catabolite repression and better enzyme secretion to the strain. Thus, it was contemplated that the B. clausii degS and/or degU find similar uses. Therefore, it was considered desirable to:

-   -   1) conduct in vitro random mutagenesis of the degS and/or degU         genes, replace either or both the wild type genes with such         mutagenized population and select for the mutants which confer         the phenotypes described above;     -   2) introduce one or more mutations in the residues of the native         DegU gene, such as: H17X, (by XI mean any other amino acid)         T103×, E112X, V136X, etc., wherein “X” is any amino acid; and/or     -   3) introduce one or more mutations in the residues of the native         DegS gene, such as: V238X, wherein “X” is any amino acid.         Mutated genes, carrying one or more of these mutations are used         to replace the wild type gene in B. clausii are thereby         provided. In addition, the present invention encompasses any         degU and/or degS mutation that increasing phosphorylation; and     -   4) transform the B. clausii with its own degS and/or degU         gene(s) carried either in a multicopy plasmid or transcribed by         a stronger promoter so to obtain higher levels of expression of         such gene. In some embodiments, the genes are wild-type, while         in other embodiments, the genes are mutated.

The present invention provides a further gene of interest. FIG. 33 provides the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:31) and FIG. 34 provides the DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:32) of “gene 2627,” which is homologous to the transcriptional activator gene nprA from Bacillus stearothermophilus. In B. stearothermophilus the nprA gene is located adjacent to the gene coding for the neutral protease nprS. It has been observed that hyper-expression of the nprA gene, such as cloning it in a multicopy plasmid, increases the expression of the adjacent neutral protease (Nishiya and Imanaka, J. Bacteriol., 172:4861–4869 [1990]). It is therefore desirable to hyper-express gene 2627 in B. clausii, transforming B. clausii with gene 2627 carried either in a multicopy plasmid or integrated in the chromosome under the transcriptional control of a stronger promoter, so to obtain higher levels of expression of such gene.

The Sec-dependent protein transport pathway is responsible for the translocation of proteins containing amino-terminal signal sequences across the cytoplasmic membrane. The Sec machinery is composed of a proteinaceous channel in the cell membrane (consisting of SecY, SecE, SecG and SecDF (in B. subtilis) or SecD and SecF in (B. halodurans)) and a translocation motor (SecA). The Sec machinery is known to ‘thread’ its substrates in an unfolded state through the membrane. Consequently, this machinery is inherently incapable of translocating proteins that fold in the cytosol. A number of the components of this transport system from B. clausii were identified.

Nearly all secreted proteins use an amino-terminal protein extension, known as the signal peptide, which plays a crucial role in the targeting to and translocation of precursor proteins across the membrane and which is proteolytically removed by a signal peptidase during or immediately following membrane transfer. The newly synthesized precursor proteins are recognized by specific proteins in the cytoplasm, collectively called “chaperones.” These chaperones prevent polypeptides destined for translocation to aggregate or fold prematurely which would lead to an export-incompatible conformation.

Most of the exported proteins are translocated in an unfolded conformation via the general secretion (Sec) pathway. Cytoplasmic chaperones and targeting factors like the Ffh protein that is homologous to the 54-kDa subunit of the mammalian signal recognition particle (SRP) and the FtsY protein a homologue of the mammalian SRP receptor alpha-subunit facilitate targeting of the pre-proteins to the Sec-translocase in the membrane. FIGS. 5–20 provide amino acid and DNA sequences for FtsY, Ffh, SecA, SecD, SecE, SecF, SecG, and SecY of B. clausii (respectively). In these Figures, SecE, SecG and Ffh are provided as partial sequences. However, it is intended that the present invention encompass the complete sequences of these genes and polypeptides.

Upon translocation across the membrane, the signal peptide is removed by a signal peptidase, which is a prerequisite for the release of the translocated protein from the membrane, and its secretion into the medium. Thus, in some embodiments, the proteins of interest have signal peptides that require removal. Signal peptidases identified herein are designated SipS, SipT, SipV, SipW (See, FIGS. 25–32). It is contemplated that any of the above proteins will find use in a manner similar to orthologs that are known in the art.

Hybridization Analogs

In one embodiment of the present invention, a protein is a “secretion-associated protein,” if it assists a nascent protein to fold correctly or to be translocated from the intracellular to extracellular environment. In one embodiment of the present invention, the secretion-associated protein is a variant of the wild-type protein wherein it has an overall homology greater than about 40%, more preferably greater than about 60%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably greater than about 80%, even more preferably greater than about 85% and most preferably greater than 90% to the amino acid sequence of any one of FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 or 27. In some embodiments the homology is as high as about 93 to 95 or, in particularly preferred embodiments, 98%.

Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the detection of Gram-positive polynucleotide homologs which comprise hybridizing part or all of a nucleic acid sequences encoding B. clausii regulatory and/or secretion-associated proteins with Gram-positive microorganism nucleic acid of either genomic or cDNA origin.

Also included within the scope of the present invention are Gram-positive microorganism polynucleotide sequences that are capable of hybridizing to the nucleotide sequences encoding B. clausii regulatory and/or secretion-associated proteins under conditions of intermediate to maximal stringency.

Also included within the scope of the present invention are novel Gram-positive microorganism polynucleotide sequences encoding regulatory and/or secretion-associated proteins that are capable of hybridizing to part or all of any one of the nucleotide sequences encoding B. clausii regulatory and/or secretion-associated proteins of FIGS. 1–20 and 25–32 under conditions of intermediate to maximal stringency.

In addition, amplification methods known in the art, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) find use in amplifying B. clausii sequences. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid sequence of at least about 10 nucleotides and as many as about 60 nucleotides from any one of the nucleotide sequences encoding a B. clausii regulatory and/or secretion-associated protein of FIGS. 1–20 and 25–32, preferably about 12 to 30 nucleotides, and more preferably about 20–25 nucleotides are used as a probe or PCR primer.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides DNA sequences encoding regulatory and/or secretion-associated protein having more than 40%, more than 45%, more than 50%, more than 55%, more than 60%, more than 65%, more than 70%, more than 75%, more than 80%, more than 85%, more than 90%, more than 95%, or more than 98% homology with the wild-type sequence.

Hybrids

The present invention also provides nucleic acids encoding hybrid secretion factors and amino acids comprising the hybrid secretion factors. In these embodiments, the hybrid secretion-associated factors retain the function of the corresponding B. clausii secretion-associated factor. In some embodiments, the present invention provides hybrids between B. clausii and other species, including but not limited to B. subtilis. Thus, in some embodiments, the microorganism comprises B. clausii sequences as well as sequences from another organism, such as B. subtilis.

In one embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise a sequence from a single ortholog. In another embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise less than 5 sequences from a single ortholog. In a further embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise sequences from two orthologs. In an additional embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise a single amino acid. In another embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise from between two amino acids to five, 10, 15, 20 amino acids. In yet a further embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise from about 2% to about 50%, in total, of the secretion factor sequence.

In alternative embodiments, the orthologous sequences comprise great than two amino acids and less than five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 amino acids. In still another embodiment, the orthologous sequences comprise less than about 50%, in total, of the hybrid secretion factor sequence when compared to the wild-type B. clausii secretion factor.

Proteins of Interest

The present invention is particularly useful in enhancing the intracellular and/or extracellular production of proteins. In some embodiments, the protein is homologous, while in other embodiments, it is heterologous. The present invention finds use in the production of various proteins, including but not limited to hormones, enzymes, growth factors, cytokines, antibodies, and the like. The present invention finds particular use in the production of enzymes, including but not limited to hydrolases, such as proteases, esterases, lipases, phenol oxidase, permeases, amylases, pullulanases, cellulases, glucose isomerase, laccases and protein disulfide isomerases. However, the present invention also finds use in the production of hormones, including but are not limited to, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor, somatostatin, gonadotropin hormone, vasopressin, oxytocin, erythropoietin, insulin and the like.

Growth factors are proteins that bind to receptors on the cell surface, with the primary result of activating cellular proliferation and/or differentiation. In addition to enzymes and hormones, the present invention finds use in the production of growth factors including but are not limited to, platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, fibroblast growth factors, insulin-like growth factors, transforming growth factors, etc. Cytokines are a unique family of growth factors. Secreted primarily from leukocytes, cytokines stimulate both the humoral and cellular immune responses, as well as the activation of phagocytic cells. Cytokines include, but are not limited to, colony stimulating factors, the interleukins (e.g., IL-1 [α and β], IL-2 through IL-13) and the interferons (α, β and γ). Human Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is a 15 kDa protein containing 133 amino acid residues. IL-3 is a species-specific colony stimulating factor which stimulates colony formation of megakaryocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages from bone marrow cultures.

In addition to the above proteins, it is contemplated that the present invention will find use in embodiments involving antibodies. Antibodies include, but are not limited to, immunoglobulins from any species from which it is desirable to produce large quantities. It is especially preferred that the antibodies are human antibodies. Immunoglobulins may be from any class (i.e., IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, or IgD).

The present invention is particularly useful in enhancing the production and secretion of proteins that possess non-polar or substantially non-polar carboxy termini. Thus, it is contemplated that proteins that comprises a signal sequence and a non-polar or substantially non-polar carboxy terminus find particular use in the present invention. The protein may be homologous or heterologous.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the protein of interest is fused to a signal peptide. Signal peptides from two secretory pathways are specifically contemplated by the present invention. The first pathway is the sec-dependent pathway. This pathway is well characterized and a number of putative signal sequences have been described. It is intended that all sec-dependent signal peptides be encompassed by the present invention. Specific examples include, but are not limited to the AmyL and the AprE sequences. The AmyL sequence refers to the signal sequence for α-amylase and AprE refers to the AprE signal peptide sequence (AprE is subtilisin [also referred to as alkaline protease] of B. subtilis). Any signal sequence derived from any source may be used as long as it is functional (i.e., directs the protein of interest into the secretory pathway), in the host cell.

Host Cells

The present invention provides host microorganisms and expression means for the expression, production and secretion of desired proteins in Gram-positive microorganisms, such as members of the genus Bacillus.

In a general embodiment, the present methods find use in enhancing the expression and/or secretion of any protein of interest produced intracellularly or secreted via the Sec-dependent secretion pathway. Thus, any protein of interest that may be fused to a Sec-dependent signal peptide by recombinant DNA methods finds use in the present invention.

The host cell is rendered capable of enhanced secretion of a protein of interest by transforming the host cell with nucleotide sequences encoding one or more of the inventive B. clausii secretion factors. In some embodiments, the protein of interest is endogenous, while in other embodiments, it is heterologous. In some embodiments, the protein of interest is a chimeric protein in which a native protein of interest is fused to a Sec-dependent signal sequence. In a preferred embodiment the B. clausii secretion factor gene is operably linked to a promoter. The promoter may be constitutive or inducible. In one embodiment, the promoter is the B. subtilis aprE promoter. However, preferred promoters are host cell promoters that are responsible for the transcription of the ortholog genes. For example, in B. subtilis, the secA promoter would be used to express the B. clausii secA gene, the B. subtilis secY promoter would be used to express the B. clausii secY gene, etc.

It is further contemplated that by varying the level of induction of an inducible promoter it is possible to modulate the expression of the gene product and thereby modulate the secretion of the protein of interest.

In some embodiments, the host cell is a Gram-positive cell. In preferred embodiments, the Gram-positive cell is a member of the genus Bacillus. As used herein, the genus Bacillus includes all members known to those of skill in the art, including but not limited to B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. lentus, B. brevis, B. stearothermophilus, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. halodurans, B. clausii, B. coagulans, B. circulans, B. megaterium, B. lautus, and B. thuringiensis. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the member of the genus Bacillus is selected from the group consisting of B. subtilis, B. clausii, and B. licheniformis.

DNA Constructs

The present invention provides expression systems for the enhanced production and secretion of desired heterologous or homologous proteins in a host microorganism. The various components of the DNA construct may be assembled by any suitable method, including PCR and/or ligation. It should be noted that any technique may be used as long as the DNA construct has the final configuration desired. In preferred embodiments, the DNA constructs are incorporated into vectors that include, but are not limited to, integrating single copy vectors, integrating amplifiable vectors or multicopy vectors.

Promoters

As indicated above, the promoter may be either inducible or constitutive. Preferred promoters for use herein are promoters from the host cell that correspond to the B. clausii secretion factor. Alternatively, the B. clausii promoter normally associated with the secretion factor may be used. In another embodiment, the promoter may be any promoter that is functional in the host cell and is not the native promoter for the B. clausii secretion factor.

Signal Sequence/Protein of Interest

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the vector comprises at least one copy of nucleic acid encoding a Gram-positive microorganism secretion factor and preferably comprises multiple copies. In additional embodiments, the vector comprises sequences (e.g., B. clausii sequences) are integrated into the host cell genome, preferably as a single copy. In additional embodiments, host cells are provided that carry both genes (i.e., native and introduced sequences). In further embodiments, the present invention provides vectors that contain the native gene of interest, while in still other embodiments, the vectors contain hybrid sequences. Thus, the present invention provides multiple embodiments in which incoming sequences, hybrids, and native sequences are present in any appropriate combination.

In some preferred embodiments, the Gram-positive microorganism is Bacillus. In another preferred embodiment, the gram-positive microorganism is B. subtilis. In a preferred embodiment, polynucleotides which encode B. clausii secretion associated factors, or fragments thereof, or fusion proteins or polynucleotide homolog sequences that encode amino acid variants of said secretion factors, are used to generate recombinant DNA molecules that direct the expression of the secretion-associated proteins, or amino acid variants thereof, respectively, in Gram-positive host cells. In a preferred embodiment, the host cell belongs to the genus Bacillus. In another preferred embodiment, the host cell is B. subtilis.

As will be understood by those of skill in the art, it may be advantageous to produce polynucleotide sequences possessing non-naturally occurring codons. Thus, in some embodiments, codons preferred by a particular Gram-positive host cell (See, Murray et al., Nuc. Acids Res., 17:477–508 [1989]) are selected, for example, to increase the rate of expression or to produce recombinant RNA transcripts having desirable properties, such as a longer half-life, than transcripts produced from naturally occurring sequence.

Altered B. clausii secretion factor polynucleotide sequences which find use in the present invention include deletions, insertions, and/or substitutions of different nucleotide residues resulting in a polynucleotide that encodes the same or a functionally equivalent secretion factor homolog, respectively. In alternative embodiments, the encoded protein contains deletions, insertions and/or substitutions of amino acid residues that produce a silent change and result in a functionally equivalent B. clausii secretion factor variant. Deliberate amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues, as long as the variant retains the ability to modulate secretion. For example, negatively charged amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid; positively charged amino acids include lysine and arginine; and amino acids with uncharged polar head groups having similar hydrophilicity values include leucine, isoleucine, valine; glycine, alanine; asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine.

In some embodiments, the B. clausii secretion factor polynucleotides of the present invention are engineered in order to modify the cloning, processing and/or expression of the gene product. For example, mutations may be introduced using techniques which are well known in the art (e.g., site-directed mutagenesis to insert new restriction sites, alter glycosylation patterns, and/or to change codon preference).

Transformation of Bacillus Host Cells

In some embodiments of the present invention, nucleic acid encoding at least one polypeptide of interest is introduced into a host cell via an expression vector capable of replicating within the host cell. Suitable replicating and integrating plasmids for Bacillus known in the art (See e.g., Harwood and Cutting (eds), Molecular Biological Methods for Bacillus, John Wiley & Sons, [1990], in particular, chapter 3; suitable replicating plasmids for B. subtilis include those listed on page 92). Although there are technical hurdles, those of skill in the art know that there are several strategies for the direct cloning of DNA in Bacillus.

Methods known in the art to transform Bacillus, include such methods as plasmid marker rescue transformation, involves the uptake of a donor plasmid by competent cells carrying a partially homologous resident plasmid (Contente et al., Plasmid 2:555–571 [1979]; Haima et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 223:185–191 [1990]; Weinrauch et al., J. Bacteriol., 154:1077–1087 [1983]; and Weinrauch et al., J. Bacteriol., 169:1205–1211 [1987]). In this method, the incoming donor plasmid recombines with the homologous region of the resident “helper” plasmid in a process that mimics chromosomal transformation.

Another method involving transformation by protoplast transformation is known in the art (See, Chang and Cohen, Mol. Gen. Genet., 168:111–115 [1979], for B. subtilis; Vorobjeva et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett., 7:261–263 [1980], for B. megaterium; Smith et al., Appl. Env. Microbiol., 51:634 [1986], for B. amyloliquefaciens; Fisher et al., Arch. Microbiol., 139:213–217 [1981], for B. thuringiensis; McDonald [1984] J. Gen. Microbiol., 130:203 [1984], for B. sphaericus; and Bakhiet et al., 49:577 [1985] B. larvae). In addition, Mann et al., (Mann et al., Curr. Microbiol., 13:131–135 [1986]) describe transformation of Bacillus protoplasts, and Holubova (Holubova, Microbiol., 30:97 [1985]) describe methods for introducing DNA into protoplasts using DNA-containing liposomes. In some preferred embodiments, marker genes are used in order to indicate whether or not the gene of interest is present in the host cell.

In addition to these methods, in other embodiments, host cells are directly transformed. In “direct transformation,” an intermediate cell is not used to amplify, or otherwise process, the DNA construct Prior to introduction into the host (i.e., Bacillus) cell. Introduction of the DNA construct into the host cell includes those physical and chemical methods known in the art to introduce DNA into a host cell without insertion into a plasmid or vector. Such methods include but are not limited to the use of competent cells, as well as the use of “artificial means” such as calcium chloride precipitation, electroporation, etc. to introduce DNA into cells. Thus, the present invention finds use with naked DNA, liposomes and the like. In yet other embodiments, the DNA constructs are co-transformed with a plasmid without being inserted into the plasmid.

Vectors/Plasmids

For expression, production and/or secretion of protein(s) of interest in a cell, an expression vector comprising at least one copy of a nucleic acid encoding the heterologous and/or homologous protein(s), and preferably comprising multiple copies, is transformed into the cell under conditions suitable for expression of the protein(s). In some particularly preferred embodiments, the sequences encoding the protein of interest (as well as other sequences included in the vector) are integrated into the genome of the host cell, while in other embodiments, the plasmids remain as autonomous extra-chromosomal elements within the cell. Thus, the present invention provides both extrachromosomal elements as well as incoming sequences that are integrated into the host cell genome.

In some embodiments of the present invention, any one or more of the inventive secretion factors are introduced into the host cell on the same vector as the protein of interest. Alternatively, in other embodiments, any one or more of the inventive secretion factors are introduced into the host cell on a separate vector. In some embodiments in which the secretion factor is on a separate vector, the vectors are used to transform the host cell at the same time as the vector possessing the protein of interest. In alternative embodiments, the host cell is transformed sequentially (i.e., with one vector then followed with the second vector).

In preferred embodiments, expression vectors used in expressing the secretion factors of the present invention in Gram-positive microorganisms comprise at least one promoter associated with a Gram-positive secretion factor, which promoter is functional in the host cell. In one embodiment of the present invention, the promoter is the wild-type promoter for the selected secretion factor and in another embodiment of the present invention, the promoter is heterologous to the secretion factor, but still functional in the host cell.

Additional promoters associated with heterologous nucleic acid encoding desired proteins or polypeptides introduced via recombinant DNA methods find use in the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the host cell is capable of overexpressing a heterologous protein or polypeptide and nucleic acid encoding one or more secretion factor(s) is(are) recombinantly introduced. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, nucleic acid encoding a B. clausii secretion-associated protein is stably integrated into the microorganism genome. In another embodiment, the host cell is engineered to overexpress a secretion factor of the present invention and nucleic acid encoding the heterologous protein or polypeptide is introduced via recombinant DNA techniques. The present invention encompasses Gram-positive host cells that are capable of overexpressing other secretion factors known to those of skill in the art, and/or other secretion factors known to those of skill in the art or identified in the future.

In a preferred embodiment, the expression vector contains a multiple cloning site cassette which preferably comprises at least one restriction endonuclease site unique to the vector, to facilitate ease of nucleic acid manipulation. In a preferred embodiment, the vector also comprises one or more selectable markers (e.g., antimicrobial markers such as erythromycin, actinomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline). In yet another embodiment, a multicopy replicating plasmid is for integration of the plasmid into the Bacillus genomic DNA using methods known in the art.

Culturing Host Cells for Expression and Identification of Transformants

Although the presence/absence of marker gene expression suggests that the gene of interest is also present, its presence and expression should be confirmed. For example, in some embodiments in which the nucleic acid encoding a secretion-associated protein is inserted within a marker gene sequence, recombinant cells containing the insert are identified by the absence of marker gene function. Alternatively, a marker gene can be placed in tandem with nucleic acid encoding the secretion factor under the control of a single promoter. Expression of the marker gene in response to induction or selection usually indicates expression of the secretion factor as well.

Alternatively, host cells which contain the coding sequence for a secretion factor and/or express the protein of interest may be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art. These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques which include membrane-based, solution-based, or chip-based technologies for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acid or protein.

The presence of the secretion-associated protein polynucleotide sequence can be detected by DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization or amplification using probes, portions or fragments derived from the B. clausii polynucleotide encoding any one of the secretion-associated proteins.

Measuring Gene Product

There are various assays known to those of skill in the art for detecting and measuring activity of secreted polypeptides. In particular, for proteases, there are assays based upon the release of acid-soluble peptides from casein or hemoglobin measured as absorbance at 280 nm or calorimetrically using the Folin method (See, Bergmeyer et al., Methods of Enzymatic Analysis, vol. 5, “Peptidases, Proteinases and their Inhibitors,” Verlag Chemie, Weinheim [1984]). Other assays known in the art include the solubilization of chromogenic substrates (Ward, in Microbial Enzymes and Biotechnology (Fogarty, ed.), Applied Science, London, [1983], pp. 251–317).

Means for determining the levels of secretion of a heterologous or homologous protein in a host cell and detecting secreted proteins include, include methods that use either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specific for the protein. Examples include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), fluorescent immunoassay (FIA), and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). These and other assays are well known in the art (See e.g., Maddox et al., J. Exp. Med., 158:1211 [1983]). In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, secretion is higher using the methods and compositions provided herein than when using the same methods or compositions, but where a peptide transport protein or gene product of a peptide transport operon has not been introduced.

Protein Purification

In preferred embodiments, the cells transformed with polynucleotide sequences encoding heterologous or homologous protein or endogenously having said protein are cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery of the encoded protein from the cell culture medium. In some embodiments, other recombinant constructions may join the heterologous or homologous polynucleotide sequences to nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide domain which will facilitate purification of soluble protein (e.g., tags of various sorts) (Kroll et al., DNA Cell. Biol., 12:441–53 [1993]).

Such purification facilitating domains include, but are not limited to, metal chelating peptides such as histidine-tryptophan modules that allow purification on immobilized metals (Porath, Prot. Expr. Purif., 3:263–281 [1992]), protein A domains that allow purification on immobilized immunoglobulin, and the domain utilized in the FLAGS extension/affinity purification system (Immunex Corp, Seattle Wash.). The inclusion of a cleavable linker sequence such as Factor XA or enterokinase (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) between the purification domain and the heterologous protein can be used to facilitate purification.

From the above, it is clear that the present invention provides genetically engineered Gram-positive host microorganisms comprising preferably non-revertable mutations, including gene replacement, in at least one gene encoding a secretion-associated protein. In some embodiments, the host microorganism contains additional protease deletions, such as deletions of the mature subtilisin protease and/or mature neutral protease (See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,366). In some preferred embodiments, the microorganism is also genetically engineered to produce a desired protein or polypeptide. In a preferred embodiment the gram positive microorganism is a member of the genus Bacillus.

All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. Various modifications and variations of the described method and system of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to those skilled in the art and/or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. 

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence comprising a Bacillus clausii secretion factor, wherein said secretion factor is SecA, and wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:10.
 2. A vector comprising the isolated nucleotide sequence of claim
 1. 3. An expression cassette comprising the vector of claim
 2. 4. An isolated host cell of the genus Bacillus comprising the expression cassette of claim
 3. 5. The secretion factor SecA of claim 1, wherein said secretion factor comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:9.
 6. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence comprising a Bacillus clausii secretion factor, wherein the secretion factor is selected from the group consisting of DegS (SEQ ID NO:4), SegU (SEQ ID NO:30) and Bc12627 (SEQ ID NO:32).
 7. A vector comprising the isolated nucleotide sequence of claim
 6. 8. An expression cassette comprising the vector of claim
 7. 9. An isolated host cell of the genus Bacillus comprising the expression cassette of claim
 8. 